Machine for use in gathering cotton.



T. E. BROWN & U. T. WESTLIN.

MACHINBI'OR USE IN GATHERING COTTON. EPPLIGATION FILED MAR. 12,1914.

1,103,653, Patented July 14,1914,

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

N & 0. T. WESTLIN.

T.'B. BROW MACHINE FOR USE IN GATHERING GOTTON.

APPLIGATIUN FILED MAR12,1914.

Patented July 14, 1914.

T. E. BROWN & G. T. WESTLIN. MACHINE FOR usn IN GATHERING COTTON.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1914. 1,193,653, Patented July 14,1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 i in the county of Hudson,

s The object of sra'rns PATENT enrich.

.E'HOMAS E. BROWN,

a conrona'rion or new roan.

OF NEW YORK, N. Y, AND CARL T. WEESTLIN, OF ARLINGTON. NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOES T0 CQTTON MACHINERY COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

necnrnn iron use In earnnnmo corron;

ioness.

Application filed March 12, 1914. Serial No. 824,331.

To all whom tmay concern:

Be it known that we,'lnorms E Bnown, a citizen of the United States, res ding at New York, in the county and State of New York, and CARL Tn Wnsrmn, a subyect of the King of Sweden, residing at Arlington, State of New lersey, have made a certain new and useful invention in Machines for Use in Gathering Cotton, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for use in gatherin cotton, and particularly to machines of t is class wherein a receptacle is employedinto which the cotton as picked or gathered by the hands of the laborers is thrown and in which receptacle operates a 'conveyer for deliverin the picked or gathcred cotton into suitab e bags, basketsor the like.

the invention is to provide ,a machine of the nature referred to, which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and etlicient in operation.

further object is to provide a machine oi the nature referred to which is strong ind durable but light in weight and easily handled or operated.

, Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the,

construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

' Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side. elevation ofa machine embodying the principles of our invention, a part of the side of the receptacle being broken out and a guide roller for the conveyor being in transverse section. Fig. 2 is a top plan View, parts being broken out to show more clearly the arrangements of certain details. Fig. 3 is a view in front end elevation, parts in gertical transverse section on the line 3, 3, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig.4 is a broken view in transverse section on the line 4, 4, Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is a detail view in top plan showing the arrangement of the sprocket chain tighteningguide roller. Fig. 6 is av view in transyers'e section, on the line 6, 6, Fig. 5,

looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 7 is a broken view in elevation of the rear end of the receptacle. Fig. 8 is a broken detail view in section on the line 8, 8, Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 9 is a broken detail view in art elevation, parts in transverse section, s owing means to support the receptacle at its upper end. Fig. 10 is a similar view in side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 9.

The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever itoccursthroughout the several views. In a machine for use in gathering cotton wherein a trailing inclined receptacle is employed which is open at its top for at least the greater'portion of its length, and in which operates a conveyer, it is desirable that the weight of the machine be reduced to a minimum without sacrificing anything of strength, in order to facilitate the handling of the machine in the various-conditions of cotton fields ordinarily encountered in cotton growing sections. It is also desirable to simplify the construction of such machines in the details thereof in order to enable the same to be handled and operated by the soft earth which is frequently on countered in the space between cotton rows,

thereby making it difiicult to handle and manage such machines. Moreover in such machines the upper part of the open top inclined receptacle is not readilyv accessible to the cotton picking laborers by reason of the fact that the large side supporting wheels prevent ready access thereto an suflicient space is not available between the wheels and the receptacle to accommodate such laborers adjacent the upper part of the receptacle. In order to overcome these obj8Cl31Ol'1S we provide a construction wherein the supporting frame and wheels15, 16, straddle only one row of stalks, and we arrange the inclined receptacle to trail between the straddled rowand the row adjacent thereto, and preferably positioned at one side of the frame and in proximate relation to the plane of operation of the large driving wheel 15, as clearly shown in the drawings. With this arrangement, and employing a small supporting wheel for the opposite side of the frame, we are able to secure ready access of the cotton picking laborers to the inclined receptacle, at substantially the full available length of the receptacle, and the laborers are enabled to operate in close relation to the frame and Wheels and to the upper part of the rcccptaclo without being im naled in securing ready access to the receptacle by reason of the interposition of the wheels.

Another and valuable feature of our invention embodied in the construction and arrangement above described, lies in the fact that in former proposed machines ol" this class it was necessary or desirable to adjust the width oi the machine to accommodate varying widths of spaces bctu'ccn cotton rows, and where at leasttwo rows had to be spanned the necessity for such adjustment of the transvm-se width of the machine is increased. \Vherc, however, only one row is spanned by the niacninc the necessity for such adjustn'icnt is avoided.

Reference numeral 17 designates the rcceptacle. This receptacle is supported at its upper forward end upon the raised or arched portion of the frame and trails rearwardly therefrom in downwardly inclined relation toward the ground. It is ,.1-rtWided with outwardly inclined or during rides 1S. and is open at its top for at least the greater portion of its length. At its upper and lower ends it is provided. with transverse rollers 1.9, 20, upon which operates an endless conveyor 2l.,'forniin;g a movable bottom for the receptacle. the upper leg or run of the conveyor moving to 'a rd the upper end of the receptacle in the operation of the machine. Ir desired, and in order to render the operation of the conveyor easy, the re ceptacle 17 may be provided with transversely extending idlcr rolls 22, over which said conveyor operates. 'lhc.rollcr 1.9 at the upper end of the receptacle is provided with a. shaft 23, which journaled in boxes 534-. which may be adjusted by adjusting screw rods 25 in order to. properly adjust the teusion of the conveyor, Pinned to the shaft 23, are the'clutch jaws 26. 27. With the clutch jaw 26, cooperates a. clutch jaw :38. which is loosely mounted on the roll shaft 23, and is connectcd'to a gear 29, by which the conveyer is actuated. The gear 2%. may be driven by any suitable or convenient arrangement of gearing. Ve have sln'iwn a. simple arrangement for the purpose, wherein a sprocket chain 30, operates over gear 29 and also over a driving gear Ill, connected to the large drive and supporting whccl 15. In order to maintain the sprocket chain 3o taut, we provide an adjustable idlcr 32, over which said chain operates. This idler -is carried by a U-shaped member 33. see Figs. 5 and (l, which embraccs a strap brace or bracket 34 secured to the frame struts 12. A clamp nutli-lfi serves to clamp the member in any ,tlcsircd position of adjustment. From thmforegoing description it will be seen that as the machine progresses through the field or along a row of cotton stalks the rotation of the supporting wheel 15 will drive the conveycr 21. The relative sizes of gears 31 and 29 may be so chosen as to secure any desired speed of operation of the conveyor.

It may sometimes be desirable to operate the convc 'cr while the machine is standing still. To permit this the clutch jaw 27, with which cooperates the clutch jaw Ill is provided, the jaw 23o being looscly mounted on the roll shaft :33. and adapted in a well known manncr to receive a crank handle socket or other convimicnt device, and to be shifted along! shaft 323 into engaging" rclation with rcspcct t the clutch jaw 27. By this means the convcycr 11 may be operated by hand indc wndcntly of the drive gearing therefor.

In order to cllicicntly support the inclined receptacle. we provide the same on its under side with a forked scatbrackct 37, designed to engage loosely over a trausvcrsely ektending frame member-$8, see Fig. 1, said 1 nine member forming a fulcrum support for the scat bracket. and the receptacle should be so positioned. as to be supported at 'this point with fairly equal balance in order that the, weight thercotn'la v be talccn directly upon the supporting wheels and to relieve other pin-lions of the fran'ic of undue strain. At the same time a desirable llcxibilit should be secured in order to providc against undue strain due to oscillationsb-y reason of the machine passing over rough or ground. stones or the like. The tree seating of the forked scat bracket upon thetransverse frame member enables this result to be secured. and in cooperation tlnu'cwitli-wc provide means to dctachably and ruovahly: cugagc the receptacle and machine frame at a point nearer the upper end of the receptacle. The form of means shown comprises a brachct 25%). secured to the bottom of the receptacle which engages over a transverse frame member 4!). Suitably cottcrwl pins ll, serre to detachably lock the braclccts 39 to the frame member it) with a sullicicnt range of free movement to prevent: undue strains.

It may sometimes be desirable to gain access to the lower cud of the receptacle in order to clear out or remove any dirt. sticks or other foreign material that may collect in the riureptaclc, and gravitate to the lower end. To permit this we provide the lower end of the receptacle with a door see Figs. T and 8, which. is hinged at one edge as at 44, to the bottom of the receptacle, and dctachably secured at its other c(l .:e,as at 43. to the end wall of the receptacle.

At its upper end the receptacle is provided with a delivery mouth or opening through which the cotton deposited in the receptacle is delivered by the conveyor.

iis mouthor delivery 0 ng may be formed in any suit "hle or convenient manner. A simple and eliicient arrangement is shown wherein the side walls of the receptacle are curved over toward and lapped upon each other, as indicated at 15, 2 and thereby forming funnel shaped delivery mouth or opening.

If desired the material'forming the sides of the receptacle, and lapped over upon each other, as described, may be extended downabl'y support the same on the frame struts 12, shown in Fig. 2.

The machine may be progressed through the field. and along the rows of cotton stalks in any suitable or convenient manner. "We have shown draft appliances connected to the frame'for attachment of a mule or horse to draw the machine along. In the form shown, forwardly extending and suitably braced arms 50, 51, are secured to the raised or arched portion ofthe frame 12. To the forward end of arm 51, connected a trans versely extending member 52 which, at one end, coiiperates with the front end of arm 50, to receive and secure the draft shaft 53. The other end of member 52, coiiperates with a bracket 54, which is secured to arm 51, to receive and secure the coiiperating shaft A swingletree 56, positioned between the shafts 53, 55, is connected to the member it will be evident that many other constri ictions and arrangements of draft ap pliances may be employed without (ileparture from the spirit and scope of our invention. The form shown, however, is simple and eflicicnt. it will also be evident that many other changes and variations in detail'sLofconstruction and arrangement might readily occur to persons skilled in the arm and still fall within the spirit and scope of ourinvenliion. But 4 Having; now set forth the object and nature ofi our invention, and a construction embodying the principles of our invention,

I what we claim as new and useful, and of our own invention, and=desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is"

1. In a machine for use in gathering cotraised or arched intermediate its ends, a supporting wheel at each end of said frame, saidwheels being spaced apart from each other a distance sufficient to straddle a single row of cotton stalks, and a lid receptacle open at its top and supported upon. the raised or arched portion of said frame and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, and positioned at one side of the machine in approximately the plane of one of the supporting wheels to operate at the side of the straddled row of cotton stalks, and a carrier operating in said re ceptacle. v

2. In a machine for use in gathering cotton, a frame raised or arched intermediate its ends and supported upon side wheels at its ends, one of said wheels being of smaller diameter than the other, a receptacle open at its top supported at its forward end upon the raised or arched portion of the frame and inclined downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, and positioned adjacent the plane of operation of the wheel of larger diameter. 7

3. In a machine for use in gathering cotton, a frame raised or arched intermediate its ends and supported at its ends upon wheels, and including a transversely extending, member, a receptacle having a seat bracket upon its bottom side, said bracket engaged loosely over said transversely extending member, said. receptacle extending rearwardly and downwardly from said frame, means for detachably engaging said receptacle and frame near the forward end of the former, and a carrier operating in said receptacle.

4. In a machine for use in gathering cotton, a frame raised or arched intermediate its ends upon wheels, said frame having transversely extending members, a receptacle having a forked seat bracket and a locking loraolret secured to the under side of the same, said locking bracket being located neartheforward end of said receptacle, and detachably secured to one of said frame memhers, said seat bracket being loosely seated on the other of said frame members to carry the weighted said receptacle, said receptacle being open at its top and inclined rearwardly and downwardly from the raised or arched. portion of the frame, and a carrier operating in said receptacle! 5'. in a machine for use in gathering cotton, a frame raised or arched intermediate its ends, supporting wheels for said a receptacle supported upon the the ends of raised part of said frame and inclined downwardly and rearwardly therefr m, said receptacle open at its top, 'a carrieroperating" in said receptacle, :1; drive gearing for said carrier including a double clutch mechanism, 1

power operated mechanism for operating one member of the double clutch, manually operated mechanism for operating another member or" the double clutch, and an adjustable idler for the power operated mechanisin v 6. In a machine for use in gathering cotton a frame raised or ton, a frame raised or arched between its ends, supporting wheels for the ends of said frame, a receptacle supported at its forward end upon the raised portion of the frame and inclined downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said receptacle having outwardly flaring sides, saidsides being curved over toward and lappedupon each other at their forward upper 'ends to form a delivery mouth or throat for the receptacle, and a carrier operating in said receptacle and delivering to said mouth or throat.

7. In a machine for use in gathering cot arched intermediate its ends, supporting Wheels for the ends of said frame, a receptacle open at its top and supported at its forward end upon the raised portion of saidfraine, said receptacle being inclined rearwardly and downwardly from drive gear connected to one of said wheels for driving said chain, a frame bracket, a clamp frame adjustably mounted on said brackets, and an idler wheel carried by said clamp frame, said drive chain operating over. said idler Wheel.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto Set. our hands in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, on this 9th day of March THOMAS E. BRUWN. GAR-L '1. lVICCZlLIE. Witnesses:

fiAJIL'TIiL E. DARBY, J12, CmNroN it. BROWN. 

